Kamren Nix, 11, strains to see the monitor on the wall along with her father, Steve Nix, during an "Evening with the Coaches" event at EverBank Field on Tuesday. Fans got a chance to listen to Jaguars director of player personnel Terry McDonough, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.

What is it like to be in a pro football team's meeting room?

The Jaguars' offensive and defensive coordinators, Dirk Koetter and Mel Tucker, gave about 500 fans a glimpse of the inner workings of play-calling during an "Evening with the Coaches" presentation Tuesday at EverBank Field.

Both coaches showed video of the nuts and bolts of four plays from last season while adding lively commentary.

Koetter showed the Hail Mary pass against Houston last year and pointed out that quarterback David Garrard put the ball right on target two yards deep in the end zone.

"Where are all the David Garrard bashers now?" he asked with a smile.

Koetter also noted the officials missed a penalty on each team on the play and called it even, although it should have been replayed.

He also showed a play from the red zone at the 14-yard line against Cleveland and said, "Every one of you guys knows the call better than me. Run a screen or a draw. Admit it. Raise your hand."

The play actually was a touchdown pass from Garrard to Marcedes Lewis.

When Koetter was asked why he sometimes runs on third-and-long, he said a poker player will sometimes fold and "live to fight another day."

He said a third-and-long play is converted only 20 percent of the time, and if the quarterback is sacked, he fumbles about 25 percent of the time.

"Sometimes, I choose to fold," Koetter said.

Koetter also talked about putting a lineman in the backfield with fullback Greg Jones on short-yardage plays.

Koetter said defensive tackle Terrance Knighton volunteers for that role every week, but Koetter said it would mean taking running back Maurice Jones-Drew off the field.

When he was asked about halftime adjustments, Koetter said he only has about two minutes with the players because the halftime is only 12 minutes long and he has to get down and back to the press box and first meet with the other coaches. He joked that he first gets his butt chewed out by head coach Jack Del Rio.

Tucker said one of the priorities is to get better tackling this year because the team gave up an average of 70 yards a game after missed tackles.

"Some guys don't want to tackle," Tucker said, suggesting there won't be a role on the team for those players.

He said if they cut the defensive yardage allowed by 53 yards a game, they'd be in the top 10 in defense. The Jaguars ranked 28th last season.

Before the session started, Tucker told reporters another priority is to simplify the defense and cut down on the number of defensive plays so the players can play faster.

Before the coaches spoke, Terry McDonough, the team's director of player personnel, outlined the team's draft philosophy. He said the team is in the third year of a four-year rebuilding program that general manager Gene Smith started in 2009.

McDonough said the Jaguars have to fill some holes with free agents, and they'll be looking for a linebacker, safety, pass-rusher, cornerback, an explosive wide receiver and an interior lineman.

McDonough said they will continue to stress drafting players with character, but he said he's not looking for choirboys.

"We're not in the choirboy business, but you can be a great pro and a class act. You win with professionalism, and you win with character," he said.

Another reason the Jaguars are the most fan friendly organization in the NFL. When I tell my friends and relatives that are NFL season ticket holders about all of the perks the Jaguars have available for season ticket holders they are amazed. I've been a Jaguars season ticket holder since day one and I've been invited to the stadium for various events such as these over and over. If you are an NFL fan are living near Jacksonville buy a season ticket! You won't find a better value anywhere else! Thanks Jaguars!
Great article Vito!

This team does everything possible to engage you as a fan. We started off great, got complacent, ruined 5-6 seasons with bad drafting and is now in the process of rebuilding a sustainable team. Eugene Monroe - WTF was he? Now every RE knows they have to prepare a little extra before playing against him. Tyson Alualu? OMG!, the Jags just reached for a no-name kid from Cali. Oh yeah, he was the BEST DT last season not named Suh. This is year three. We probably will have that look of sheer surprise on draft day when they call out pick #16, but we should know that there won't be any more Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Reggie Nelson picks. And I just mentioned the #1's, don't forget all the other picks 2-7 both years that are starting to show real promise. I'm talking to you Deji, Eben (stay off of IR this year), Mike T - these and all the others that showed what we're capable of doing. If you're having a hard time remembering we were in the lead of the AFC south in December.

It's time to start feeling really good about being a Jaguar fan. Don't let the labor situation keep you down - think of buying tickets as an investment. I'm pretty confident that there won't be any cancelled games, but WW is paying interest (more than my checking account pays I hope) on the refunds of games not played.

Don't let the head coach keep you from buying a ticket. I like keeping a guy around. Lombardi would have the same players that Del Rio has. It's players not plays. (Thanks Vic, enjoy WI)

And remember as you finish reading this - this isn't for the Jag's fans, because we already know all this. This is for you haters. This is for those of you who don't like your own mothers. This if for those of you who carry that grey cloud over your head wherever you go. C'mon!!!! Lose the cloud, kiss your mom and jump on the f'n bandwagon already - We need you in the stands.